Device for removing one end of an egg



Dec. 14, 1954 P. JEPsoN DEVICE Foa REMovING oNE END oF AN EGG Filed Sept. 26. 1950 INVENTOR. Percy Jpson f/", 770% Y ATTOR N EYS United States Patent() 2,656,860 DEVICE FOR' REMovING' ONE END'OE EGG Percy Jepson, Oakland, Calif. Application September 26, 19950;` Serial No; 186,724A

18v Claims.` (Clt 1`46s2)4 This invention' relates, toan? egg. opener, and has' for' one of its objects theprovision of anopener' that is adapted to remove either of theendsof an egg to prepare the remainder for eating from an egg cup ini the` usual manner or for removing the contents of the shell,.- or for separating the yok'efrom thecwhte, or for? any other operation whereV it is? desirable or necessary to open the" egg.

The usual manner of*v opening soft'.boiled or raw eggsA is to break the shell by al sharp blow applied transversely of' theY longitudinal axisv of the egg near one end with the edge of a knife or with the edge of a' spoon'. A slight miscaleulation may cut the-egg tool near the center, and too deeply,- resultingl inv spilling the contents of 'thev shell andin breakingfthe yolk. Even a blow' applied at' the proper place may break the yolk if the blow is too'- hard.A Many times undesirable fragments of` the" shell become mixed with the contents of ther shell, and if the;y

fracture istoo near the end ofthe shell,ithelre is difficulty in.- removing the contents.v

Oneof the objects of this invention is" the provision of? an egg opener that-will uniformly open? eggs in the proper place' without breaking the' yolk,I or` spilling theT contents of the shell, and without causing fragments of the shell to break off and enter the contents of the shell.

Heretofore in openingegg's; many' times it is" dinc'ult to hold the hot egg in onehand whilebreaking the shell with the other, and alsoy diiculty is had inl thefirs't place in getting. the egg out of the water in.V which it has been boiled.

An object of the present invention is thefprovision'of an` egg opener that is provided with means' for removing the egg from the water and for holding the same while it is being opened, and an additionaly Objectis the provision of a combinedregg cup and holder so" thatthe egg carl both' be openedl and served in the same egg cup.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedegg opener that is adapted-to successively fracture the egg shell along a line at'the desired point; and that lifts theA end of the shell along oneside of said fracture as the breaking. operation is completed.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the' de# scription and` inthe drawings;

In the drawings;y Fig.4 l` is a perspectivel View of an egg openert in' itsz most sirnpliiedgform,` the eggbeing india cated:v in clashY line in-a positiony for'removal of theupper'# mos't end thereof'.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view ofthe end of theopener through which one endfof the/egg is adapted;l

to project, showing in dash linesI theI tinal positionl of the-cutter on said'y opener. The full line position indi# cates the position of the cutter at the beginning of itsv movement. j

Fig/3l is aside elevational view of a slightly different` form of egg; opener, in which-l awholde'r for the egg is provided and inwhich. the top end ofthe egg* (when supported vertically in the holder) is automatically lifted at the conclusion of the cutting movement ofl the cutter;y Also a yoke separator is indicated'in Figi 4 on'vthef egg opener. The cutter is shown before thecutting with an egg inl full line in'theholder, andthe dash lines indicate the nal position of the center vith,thev uppermosty end ofthe egg elevated andin tl'asliflines-fy l l Fig. 4 a1 top plan view of the egg.I h'oldingend of thegdevic of Figtf ,j

5 @perspective view of,` a-still further;

of the invention indicating. a different type of helder' 2,696,860 Patented Dec. 14, 1954 2 for holdingthe egg during" cutting. oithe top and means is provided for automatically elevating the upper end of the egg when it isready for removal.

Figs; 6, 7 respectively lare fragmentary perspective and side elevational views of` another form of the invention showing the device at the start and at the finish' of an operation'. j p

In detail,- the invention` as shown in Figs. l and 2 conn prises an annular headv or member lthatis preferably stamped from sheet metal, the central opening 2,V being adapted toy encircle either one end or the other of an egg, but the diameter of said openingy is less than that of the egg so that the end of the egg willprojectthrough the opening andthe-edge of the opening will engage'the egg. alongV a` linethatiswhere the egg shellshould be broken orcut inorder to prepare the' egg, such as a softboiledleggfkfor eating from an ordinary egg cup. The major portion ofthe egg, such as is indicated in dash linel at 3 in Fig. 1 is held' below the annular head or member 1.,r

The annular member l1 has a at upper side that` is planar and al handle 4, formed integrally with the member,- 1, projects laterallyi from the member 1 when the latter isV held horizontal, orV substantially so, with` the egg below' said member and its uppermost end projecting upwardly through` the opening 2 for the distance pernitted by thediameter of the openingv and the sizeof t elegg.

Thev use" of the words,V downwardly,l upwardly, and

other` wordsI indicating direction or position, are used with reference to they device when ity is positioned in thef normal'egg opening position as' described in theprecedingpar'agraph. The words forward, forwardly, rear or rearwardly are used with reference to the member' the'annular" member 1, andi also` curves downwardly, and' at: its rear end it ishinged at 6 to the rear end of the extension 7 of a cutterv 8,v said hinge preferably being `formed by loop 6 formed on the rear end of said eXtension extending through an opening 5 in tlie rear end of han'dle- 4 (Figi 1)" soy that the loop pivotally secures the'extension'to the handle.`

Cutter' 8 andits extension 7 are integral and constitute a= strip of spring sheet metal'bowed longitudinally and' upward-ly away from handle 4-v for its length inter'- mediate hinge 6 and the cutter 8.

Cutter 8 is preferably Wider than the extension 7 and its width isv about equalto the diameter of the opening 2r (Figi 2). Theven'd edge of cutter 8 is` adjacent the side' of member I- from which the handle 4 extends, and said edge is serrated to provideV three teeth, the two outer teeth'y being indicated' at 10 and the central tooth being designated 1'1.

Teeth 10', 11 have their pointsa'ligned along a line that is perpendicular tol a radial line from the center of opening 2'v bisecting the' handle 4, and the' central' tooth 11* is-- on said radial line;A whilev the teeth 10 are equally spaced therefrom and are substantially* on lines -parallelwith the saidv radial line and respectively tangential to the two opposite' sides of a' circle defining' the two oppositeedges of opening Z.- The edges of the c'utter between the teeth 10, 111 aref preferably curved, and said curves are thef same and are preferably relatively shallow, each being equal to about a4 third of a circle.

in a directionl across the opening and tooth 11y will move along the* previously mentioned radial line of opening 2 that bisects handle 4. j j

v Assuming. an1 egg. isinv the-position 3- indicated`V in- Fig. l.,`l i-t I will beeen thatv were? theV cutter" 8'A to' move into the shellof th 'rejecting end of the egg, unless'v the said cutter were fla a ainst the fiatlupper side of the member" 11,aj-.1-irt ore' would be2 applied to the upper endA of thee 'ommencing'withf the initial penetration of tooth 11, which would tend to break the egg shell before any well developed line of Weakness had been provided.

To insure the cutter being flat against said member 8, or in a plane parallel with the plane of said ring, the portion of the cutter at its juncture with the extension 7 is slotted, as indicated at 15. Several slots, as indicated at 16 may be provided, if necessary, although usually this is not essential if the spring steel from which the cutter and its extension is of the proper gauge, and the proportions of the cutter and extension are correct.

The slot so weakens the cutter at said -iuncture as to cause the cutter to atten against the member 8 as initial pressure is applied to member 7, and when the cutter is in a plane substantially parallel with that in which the member 1 is disposed, it will move in a direction straight across the opening 2.

When the extension 7 is substantially against the handle 4 at its central point, the cutter teeth will have moved to position 17 (Fig. 2). This position is short of the center of the egg, and is not deep enough to cut into the yolk.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the central point 11 will be the first part of the cutter to penetrate the shell of the egg, and as soon as such penetration is effected the divergently rearwardly extending curved edges 14 at opposite sides of said tooth 11 will progressively tend to cut the shell in a manner to exert pressure oppositely and outwardly on the shell. This is highly desirable at this stage, since it tends to fracture the egg in the plane in which the cutter operates. Only after a substantial opening has been made do the curved edges of the cutter change to where there is a slight oppositely and inwardly directed pressure, but at this stage the shell has been broken ahead of the cutter so there is no cutting action.

When the cutter has reached its final position 17 the upper end of the shell of the egg. indicated at 18 in Fig. l will be resting on the cutter along almost half of its lower edge. By swinging the handle 4 and extension 7 upwardly as a unit about the edge of the opening 2 opposite the member 1 as a fulcrum, the said upper end 18 of the shell will be lifted off the remainder below said cutter. No fragments are produced bv the cutting action, and the upper end of the egg will break along a circular line that is substantially coincident with that of the edge of the opening 2.

Tn operating the opener. the egg is held upright in one hand. and the handle 4 is held in the other hand with the thumb against a central point on the extension 7 of the cutter. Pressure on said extension is exerted by the thumb while the other fingers of the same hand support the handle 4.

In order to prevent the cutter from swinging away from the member 1. when not in use. and also to facilitate the handling of the device. an upwardly proiecting lug 19 stamped from the handle below the slot 15 extends upwardly through said slot and is formed at its upper end with a lip that proects forwardly over the portion of the cutter at the front end of said slot when pressure on the extension 7 is removed. However. by pressing slightly on said extension. the said lio will be spaced from the front end of the slot a suicient distance to enable the cutter to be swung freely away from the member 1 so the device can readily be cleaned whenever desired. The lug 19 also acts as a guide to insure against lateral movement of the cutter and extension 7.

From the above description, it will be seen that the extension 7 and handle 4 are so proportioned and shaped that the movement of the cutter will be restricted to a distance that will preclude likelihood of cutting into the yolk of an egg. The diameter of the opening 2 is such that where large eggs are used, the smaller end of the same can be projected through the opening 2, and if the eggs are substantially smaller, the larger end of the egg may be projected through said opening. In other words, the user can readily determine how much of the end of the egg is to be removed.

The invention as above described may be used for hot, soft boiled eggs, or for other eggs, cooked or uncooked,

and in the latter case, the yolk can readily be separated from the white if desired by manipulation of the removed end and the remainder so as to retain the yolk in the shell while draining off the white. l

The device shown in Figs. 3, 4 is similar to that of Fig. 1', except that provision is made for removing the egg from hot water and for holding it while the uppermost end is being removed, and also provision is made for automatically elevating the said uppermost end without tilting the device, as described for the form of invention already described.

In the form shown in Figs. 3, 4, the head of the opener is formed with a substantially annular portion that in turn is formed with a slight downwardly and axially inwardly extending flange 26 (Fig. 3) at two opposite sides each equal to about a quarter of the periphery of opening.

In said opening is a tubular open-ended holder 27 that has oppositely outwardly ared portions 28 along each of its upper and lower edges, with the remainder between said portions 28 straight axially of the holder. The inner edges of the opening in the head 25 between the flanged portions 26 are cut away so that a quarter turn of the tubular member 27 will permit the flared portions 28 to slip through the cut-away sections 29 so that the tubular member will be released from the head 25.

Inasmuch as the structure at opposite ends of the tubu lar holder 27 are the same, it will be seen that either end may be uppermost in the head 25.

Intermediate the opposite ends of the holder, the latter is formed with a radially inwardly projecting rib 30, which rib is closer to the lower end of the holder, (as seen in Fig. 3) than it is to the upper end. As seen in Fig. 3, the lower end 31 of the egg 32 rests on rib 30 and the upper end 33 projects above the level of head 2S.

In this instance the diameter of the central opening in head 25 is sufficient to enable the egg to pass therethrough from above so as to be supported on the annular rib 30. Obviously rib 30 could be in sections, rather than continuous.

Upon inverting the holder 27 in the head 25, the rib 30 would be closer to the top of the holder and a small egg would be held on the rib with its uppermost end the desired distance above the head 25. Larger eggs will have proportionately the same projection through the opening in head 25 when the rib 30 is closer to the lower end. Additional variation or adjustment can be obtained by holding the egg with it spointed end up or down as desired.

When the holder 27 is in head 25 as seen in Fig. 3, it may be used as a scoop to scoop the egg out of hot water preparatory to the removal of its uppermost end.

The handle 34 that is integral with head 2S, varies from the handle 4 on head 1 in that a section 35 is straight for a substantial distance between its outer end and the head 25, providing junctures between the ends of said straight section and the head and rear end of the handle respectively. The lip 36 is the same as the one shown at 20 in Fig. l and the loop, as well as cutter 38 and extension 39 on said cutter are identical with loop 6, cutter 8, and extension 7 of Figs. l, 2.

Upon pressing downwardly on the extension of the cutter, the same movement of the cutter in a direction across the opening in head 25 will occur as described for the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2. However, as soon as the extension is depressed to the point where the cutter has entered the egg to the same degree as the cutter shown in position 17 in Fig. 2, it will be seen that a gap will remain between the straight section 35 and said extension, thus permitting the extension to be pressed against said straight section. Upon so pressing the extension against said straight section, the cutter will immediately move upwardly to the dash line position 40 (Fig. 3) thereby elevating the upper end of egg 33 to position 41, in which position the said upper end may be lifted off the egg.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that this same structure of the handle 34 is applicable to the invention as seen in Figs. l, 2 in which case the elevation of the upper end of the egg is automatic when final pressure is applied to the extension after the cutter has moved to its position as indicated at 17 in Fig. 2.

After the above steps have been completed, the holder 27 with the egg therein may be readily removed from the head 25 and the holder will function in the same manner as the conventional egg cup.

Where the separation of the yolk from the white, in rawfeggs, is desired, provision is madenon the head 25 for accomplishing this result. The outer side of the head 25 may have an upstanding flange 44 formed therein, which ange closely resembles the pouring lip on a conrainer, being generally semi-cylindrical, but of progres# sively increased'width from its ends to the central por tion.

This flange or lp44r is formed witha slot 45 that extends longitudinally thereof, the ends of said slot being sharp, as seen at 46 and which ends are at about the level of the upper side of head 25. The slot curves upwardly from said ends to its widest central portion.

In operation, after the top of a raw egg, has been removed, the white of the egg may be poured off through the slot 45, that is not Wide enough to pass the yolk. The relatively tough ablumenousconnection between the white and yolk is readily cut off by rocking the head so that said connection is cut at one or the other of the pointed or sharp endsY of the slot. It is to be noted that the flanged portion 26 on head 25 and the flared section 28 on the holder are along the lip 36 to permit pouring' off the whiterw'ithout leakage. j

yWhere the user may prefer the egg to be held ,against the" anular head of the device from below, a's inFigs. l, 2,` but objects to thediscomfort of holding the hot eggV indthce hand, a holder such as seen in Fig. may be' prov1 e `Said holder' comprises a spring clamping element 50'v that is in the form of a spring 'metal strip' secured at one end to the underside of the handle 4 of the' device.

inasmuch as all of the featuresv of the device, except for' element 50, andv length of the slot in the cutter ex'- tension are identical with the structure shown in Fig. I, the same' numbers are used as in Fig. 1 in describing the device itself,apart from the clampin'gelementjand slot.

'The strip or element 50 curves downwardly and then forwardly below the annular head l, and the forward portion of saidf strip is;` formed with a relatively'sniall egg positioning aperture 51 that is substantiallycoaxiall with the opening 2. Y l l AStamped' from strip 50 isa nger engaging triggerflike piecel 53 that projects rearwardly and downwardly from said strip, and the forward end 54 of the strip 50' is turned downwardly to provide a leg.

In operation, when the right hand of the operator holdsv the handle 4, the trigger finger of such hand is adapted to'retract the trigger element 53 thus drawing` the' forward endjof said element in a direction away from' head 1 a sufficient distance to enable the head 1 and! forward end of the element 50 to slip over opposite endsof the egg when the latter is inthe hot water. By releasing the pressure on the trigger element 53 the forward endof strip 50vwill engage' the endvof the eggadjacent thereto pushing the opposite end of the egg into opening 2 in head 1 and will hold the eggin the same position of the eggindicated in Fig. 1 with the egg coaxial Iwith the axis of openings 2 and 51. The lower end of said` egg will be sealed in thesmaller opening 51` so'that the egg will not become accidentally dislodged. As after the top of the egg has been removed, the device may be supported on a table on 54 and the rear end of handle 4 as a base, or it may be removed from the device, as desired..

It is also pertinent to note that in this formy of invention the slot 60 that corresponds with.V slotl 15 of Fig. l

isf shorter! than slot 15. When the cutter has moved almost to a position corresponding with position 17 of Fig-2, therear end 61k of the slot will-engage thehinclined.

rear surface. ofA the lug 19'. and the cutter willconsequently-V be elevated on the nml movement to liftrthe upper end` of the egg away from ther'emainder. 4

Either structure of Figs. 3 and 5 is suitable for use on the vdevice of Fig. l. However, asfalready explained, in thesimplest formt of the inventiomwhere the egg is held by one hand, the mere swinging of the handle 4 upwardly will elfect removal of the upper end thereof. Where other means is used to hold the egg, such as the cup of Fig. 3` o'r the clamp of Fig. 5, the structure for4 automatically elevating the upper end of ther egg becomes more im'-` portant. Irt is to be noted` that the: rear end'of theslot preferably has an ,upwardly inclined lip 61 to facilitate upward movement' of the cutter.

In the invention as shown iny Figs'.- 6 and 7 the'hea'd 1 with opening 2 formed therein, and the handle' 4* are identicalv witlrthe invention as. shown'in` Figstl', hencethe same numeralsfare used asinFig. l to'. identity said ele# j InilFigsj; 6, 7., a. eutte'r'sstandfn `extension osare' ro#- vided, which elements Aare'rnnelmh'e saine asl the'cut-terf 8.E andifextensien ot'Eigd with the'2-einerniort66hinged;-

menrtseewiflitsfeoneavely-enrweelsi 1y conneeted'- tol handle'- 4l in: the 1 sante" manner as eittena- S 7 ilsI Gilltd- Witli l'laIdlev 4. However, the Cf ter' 65I ifs'ihingedlzy connected with the extension 66 by a hinge'pin67 ata point adjacentV the headv 1.` y

Thectter 65 may havea vc'entral tooth 69 between `a pair of olite`teeth68, as in'Fig.7.` The cutter itself 1s preferably slightly wider than the one shown in Fig. l so tha-tit cannot possibly slide through the opening 2 during movement across the head 1.r with the teeth leading. Thefupwardly and forwardly projecting lug 70 on handle 4' that substantially corresponds with lug 19 of Fig. l extends upwardly throughaslot' '71 formed alongthe hingedfedge of cutter 65, and the cylindrical hinge pin' 67- extendstransversely of said slot across its rear end;-

In operatiomgwhen tlieextension 66 is'compressed or pressed-toward-handle 4, the cutter 65 willslide forwardly iiat against the rear side-of headl 1` and the teeth will progressively enter' the side'of the4 egg along the rear edge of opening 2- in said head; After the cutter hasl moved about halfv way'aert'lss` the egg the hinge pin67 willV engage the rear side of lug 70 and then the nal compression of the extension 66 against the handle will case the' rear' end o'f-the Cutter' toV m'oveupwardly as' indicated in Fig. 7'. tThis is the mo's't desirable manner" of causing thetop173 of the egg to be removed since the lifting fore lis against the'edge of the shell where the point 69initially entered Vthe shell. The angle of the cutter and the plane that is coincidental with thelower edges' of thetop of the egg are substantially' the same durn'gthe tilting of the top to effect its removal. I

When-the extension ,66 is fully compressed against' the handle 4, the hinge pin 67 will be at the upper end of lng 70, and wil not passl over said lug. The lug` 70 functions the same asflug 19'topre`vent accidental swinging' of the cutter and extension 66'away from the handle, unless the extension, isjintentionally ycompressed so that the forward end of slot 71 will clear they lug.

It istosbe understood that the detailed description is not intended to' restrict the invention tok the details. The drawings" and'vdescription merely show preferred forms of the invention.

It maybe added with respectto Fig. 6 that the additional widthA of blade 65 is such that theforward outer edges of the blade will ride on the head 1 at all times andy when' an egg having a diameter less than thatof opening) extends through? the` opening, theklower portion ofthe egg will be prevented from being lifted through opening 2.

l. Adevice for removing one end of an egg comprising auc'e'ritr'allyVV open member through the central opening of which said one end of an egg is adapted to project from one side of said member, a cutter against said one side of said member and adjacent one side of such egg whenrthe latter projects from said one side, a handle on-sa-id member extending laterally therefrom and an elongated longitudinally' bowed spr-ing` arm securedf atone end to said cutterv and. at the opposite end to said handle at` thee'nd of the latter thatis opposite to said member' and with its concavelycurved side facing said handle whereby straightening of said arm by pressing its outwardly bowed side toward said-*handle will cause said cutter tofcutrthe shell of said eggLwhen it is in'said position' projecting through said central openingL for removal of the shell at said one end of said egg, and means engageablewith said arm dining said'movement for moving said cuttery in direction away from said member and axially of an egg projecting' through the latter for automatically elevating the shell at said one end of said egg from the remainder.

2. A- device for removing one end of an egg compris'- ing a centrally open member' through the central opening otwhichfsaid one end of anfegg is adapted to project from one side of said member,` a' cutter against said one side'y of saitl' n'iernberV andadjacent one side of such egg when" the' lat-ter'proje'cts from said one side;A a handle orti` said-member extendingflater'ally therefrom and;v ant are. etnaA attire o oneertdrto said:

aeing fsaidiliandte;A

piesrte end" to said" said cutter being movable into slidable engagement with g a side of said member and partially across said opening upon straightening of said arm against said handle by pressing its outwardly bowed side toward said handle whereby said cutter will cut the shell of said egg when it is in said position projecting through said central opening for removal of the shell at said one end of said egg, said cutter having a central tooth positioned to initially engage the closest point on said egg to said cutter when said one end of said egg projects through said central opening, the said tooth having tapered sides for progressively cutting a wider opening in one side of said shell in opposite outward directions as said cutter progressively moves in direction across said central opening.

3. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening therein through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project, a cutter adjacent one side of said member and at one side of said opening, said cutter being supported for movement in direction across said opening and into an egg projecting therethrough, separate means respectively connected with said cutter and with said member engageable with each other when said cutter is moved to a position extending into an egg projecting through said opening for moving said cutter-axially of said egg and in direction away from said member for lifting the shell on said one end of said egg away from the remainder, said cutter being movable axially of said member for so lifting said shell on said one end.

4. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening therein through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project, a cutter adjacent one side of said member and at one side of said opening, said cutter being supported for movement in direction across said opening and into an egg projecting therethrough, separate means respectively connected with saidvcutter and with said member engageable with each other when said cutter is moved to a position extending into an egg projecting through said opening for moving said cutter axially of said egg and in direction away from said member for lifting the shell on said one end of said egg away from the remainder, said cutter being movable axially of said member for so lifting said shell on said one end, a handle on said member projecting laterally therefrom and a nger actuatable arm connected with said cutter and supported on said arm for movement of said cutter in said direction across said opening upon pressure of said iinger on said arm.

5. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening therein through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project, a cutter adjacent one side of said member and at one side of said opening, said cutter being supported for movement in direction across said opening` and into an egg projecting therethrough, separate means respectively connected with said cutter and with said member engageable with each other when said cutter is moved to a position extending into an egg projecting through said opening for moving said cutter axially of said egg and in direction away from said member for lifting the shell on said one end of said egg away from the remainder, said cutter being movable axially of said member for so lifting said shell on said one end, a handle on said member projecting laterally therefrom and a nger actuatable arm connected with said cutter and supported on said arm for movement of said cutter in said direction across said opening upon pressure of said nger on said arm, said means including a member rigid with said member and said arm slidably engaging said arm only after a predetermined pressure has been applied on said arm.

6. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising an annular member providing a central opening of about the diameter of an egg at a point spaced a substantial distance from one end thereof whereby said one end will project through the central opening of said member when said egg and said opening are substantially coaxial, a iiat cutter at one side of said member and at one side of said opening having a central tooth directed radially toward the axis of said opening, the width of said cutter being about equal to said diameter, said cutter being further provided with a pair of teeth equally spaced at opposite sides of said central tooth projecting in the same direction and similar to the direction in which said central tooth projects, the pointed ends of said pair of teeth being substantially on a straight line with the pointed end of said central tooth and on a linel perpendicular to one extending through said axis and the point of said central tooth and said teeth being spaced from each other at points about equal to said diameter, the edge of said cutter between said central tooth and the teeth of said pair being concavely curved whereby movement of said cutter in direction across said opening and into said shell will result in said curved edges tending to cut in opposite outward directions for a substantial distance, means for restricting movement of said cutter in said direction to a point less than half way across said opening, said cutter being supported on said member for said movement and means for so moving said cutter.

7. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening through which one end of an egg is adapted to extend for projection from one side thereof when said egg is substantially coaxial with said opening, a holder for supporting an egg with its said one end extending through said opening, means for securing said holder to said member for so lsupporting said egg with said holder positioned at the side of said member opposite the side from which said one end of said egg is adapted to project, a cutter positioned at one side of said opening and supported for movement in direction across said opening for cutting into the side of the shell of an egg projecting through said opening, a spring arm on said cutter bowed longitudinally, said cutter being supported on said member, a rigid connection between the opposite end of said arm and said member and spaced from the bowed portion of said arm whereby pressure against said bowed portion for straightening it out will cause movement of said cutter in direction across said opening for cutting into the shell of an egg held by said holder with its said one end projecting through said opening.

8. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening through which one end of an egg is adapted to extend for projection from one side thereof when said egg is substantially coaxial with said opening, a holder for supporting an egg with its said one end extending through said opening, means for securing said holder to said member for so supporting said egg with said holder positioned at the side of said member opposite the side from which said one end of said egg is adapted to project, a cutter positioned at one side of said opening and supported for movement in direction across said opening for cutting into the side of the shell of an egg projecting through said opening, a spring arm on said cutter bowed longitudinally, said cutter being supported on said member, a rigid connection between the opposite end of said arm and said member and spaced from the bowed portion of said arm whereby pressure against said bowed portion for straightening it out will cause movement of said cutter in direction across said opening for cutting into the shell of an egg held by said holder with its said one end projecting through said opening, said holder being removable from said member in direction axially of said opening for removal of said egg.

9. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening through which one end of an egg is adapted to extend for projection from one side thereof when said egg is substantially coaxial With said opening, a holder for supporting an egg with its said one end extending through said opening, means for supporting said holder on said member, a cutter at the side of said member from which said one end of said egg is adapted to project and at the side of said member opposite said holder, means supporting said cutter on said member for movement from one side of said opening in direction across said opening for entering the side of said egg at said one end thereof to effect removal of the shell at said one end, said holder having a base at its end remote from said member for supporting the same upright with the remainder of said egg held therein whereby said holder may function as an egg cup.

l0. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening through which one end of an egg is adapted to extend for projection from one side thereof when said egg is substantially coaxial with said opening, a holder for supporting an egg with its said one end extending through said opening, means for supporting said holder on said member, a cutter at the side of said member from which said one end of said egg is adapted to project and at the side flsadmember opposite saidholder, means supporting said cutter on said member for movement from one side of -said opening in direction :l :ross said opening for enter- 1l. A device for removing one end of an egg com-- prising a member formed with an opening through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project when said egg and said opening are substantially coaxial, a cutter at one side of said opening, an elongated handle rigid with said member extending generally radially therefrom and from the axis of said opening, a spring arm on said cutter over said handle extending longitudinally of the latter and connected at its outer end remote from said cutter to said handle, said arm being bowed longitudinally spacing the portion between said cutter and said outer end of said arm from said handle with the concave side of said arm facing said handle whereby pressure on said bowed portion toward said handle and the straightening of said arm under said pressure will cause said cutter to slide across said opening for a predetermined distance to effect a cutting into the side of the shell of said one end of said egg when the latter extends through said opening.

12. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project when said egg and said opening are substantially coaxial, a cutter at one side of said opening, a handle rigid with said member extending generally radially therefrom, a spring arm on said cutter over said handle and connected at its outer end remote from said cutter to said handle, said arm being bowed longitudinally spacing the portion between said cutter and said outer end of said arm from said handle with the concave side of said arm facing said handle whereby pressure on said bowed portion toward said handle will cause said cutter to slide across said opening for a predetermined distance to effect a cutting into the side of the shell of said one end of said egg when the latter extends through said opening, said handle being also bowed longitudinally in substantially the same direction as said arm but the degree of the curve of said arm being greater than that of said handle and said handle being curved directly away from said member to the side of the latter opposite the side from which said one end of said egg is adapted to project.

13. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project when said egg and said opening are substantially coaxial, a cutter at one side of said opening, a handle rigid with said member extending generally radially therefrom, a spring arm on said cutter over said handle and pivotally connected at its outer end remote from said cutter to said handle, said arm being bowed longitudinally spacing the portion between said cutter and the pivoted end of said arm from said handle whereby pressure on said bowed portion toward said handle will cause said cutter to slide across said opening for a predetermined distance to effect a cutting into the side of the shell of said one end of 'said egg when the latter extends through said opening, said spring arm being at and a portion of the material of said arm adjacent said cutter being removed to provide easier exure of said arm adjacent said cutter when pressure is applied to said arm for tending to ilatten it against said handle.

14. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project when said egg and said opening are substantially coaxial, a cutter at one side of said opening, a handle rigid with said member extending generally radially therefrom, a spring arm on said cutter over said handle and pivotally connected at its outer end remote from said cutter to said handle, said arm being bowed longitudinally spacing the portion between said cutter and the pivoted end of said arm from said handle whereby pressure on said bowed portion toward said handle will cause said cutter to slide across said opening for a predetermined distance to effect a cutting into the side of the shell of saidone end of said egg Whenthe latter extends through said opening, said handle being formed with a straignt section adjacent said member and extending slantingty `in direction away from the side of the member from ,which said one end of said egg is adapted to project and beyond which said cutter is positionedin the direction of said opening whereby attening ot` said arm against said at section will elfect movement of said cutter axially of said opening and in a direction away from said member after said cutter has moved a predetermined distance across said opening.

l5. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening therein through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project, a cutter adjacent one side of said member and at one side of said opening supported on said member for sliding in one direction across said opening with its cutting edge leading and into an egg projecting therethrough, separate means respectively connected with said member and with said cutter engageable with each other when said cutter is moved partially across said opening for moving the trailing end of said cutter away from said member under the influence of force tending to move said cutter in said one direction, means connected with the trailing end of said cutter for so moving the latter.

16. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member formed with an opening therein through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project, a cutter adjacent one side of said member and at one side of said opening supported on said member for sliding in one direction across said opening with its cutting edge leading and into an egg projecting therethrough, separate means respectively connected with said member and with said cutter engageable with each other when said cutter is moved partially across said opening for moving the trailing end of said cutter away from said member under the influence of force tending to move said cutter in said one direction, means connected with the trailing end of said cutter for so moving the latter, a hinge connecting said trailing end of said cutter with said last mentioned means to permit said movement of said trailing end away from said member under said force when the leading end of said cutter is in engagement with said member.

17. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a member having an opening formed therein through which said one end of said egg is adapted to project, a flat cutter blade supported at one side of said opening for movement in direction across said opening with its cutting edge leading and having a toothed leading edge adapted to enter a side of said egg at a point in a plane bisecting said egg and opening, the width of said blade being greater than the diameter of said opening whereby the blade will be supported on said member at opposite sides of said opening during its movement in direction across said member, the trailing edge of said blade being movable in direction away from said member when the leading edge at opposite sides of said plane are supported on a side of said member for lifting the top of said egg from the remainder thereof at the point of initial entry of said toothed edge into said egg upon such movement of said trailing edge, and means respectively connected with said member and with said blade engageable with each other after partial entry of said blade into said egg for so moving said trailing edge away from said member.

18. A device for removing one end of an egg comprising a horizontally disposed member having an opening formed therein through which the upper end only of such egg is adapted to extend from below, a cutter above said member and adjacent to one side of said opening, an elongated handle and an elongated flat spring secured to and projecting laterally from said member and from said cutter respectively with said spring over said handle for grasping said handle and spring in one hand of the user, the corresponding ends of said handle and spring that are remote from said member and said cutter being connected together, said spring being bowed with its concave side facing and spaced from said handle whereby straightening of said spring by pressing one of the fingers of said one hand against the convex side of said spring will cause said cutter to move in a direction generally longitudinally of said spring and partially across the upper side of said opening in slidable contact with said member for cutting the shell of an egg having its upper end extending into 1 1 said opening with the upper end of said shell above said Number cutter.` 446,545

l f v 561,969- References Cited in the le of this patent 5 1,349,4(3253 2, 87,8 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,509,630 Number Name Date 173,915 Deutsch Feb. 22, 1876 190,784 Schultze May 15, 1877 Number 239,197 Scharif Mar. 22, 1881 10 456,231 266,007 Badger Oct. 17, 1882 499,647 375,298 Lilly Dec. 20, 1887 Name Date Blodgett Feb. 17, 1891 Craig June 16, 1896 Hull Mar. 27, 1923 Rose July 20, 1937 Duiy May 30, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France June 13, 1913 France Nov. 25, 1919 

